[JimDirt]

Try this

Pull the plug , take a small tube or vacuum line and dip it in some gas , hold it down in the gas a bit , then take your thumb and hold it over the hole , lift the line out of the gas and without tipping it (holding it vertical) place it in the spark plug hole and release your thumb , that should get enough fuel to start , re-install the plug and wire , and hit the button (or kick it) the bike SHOULD fire up

If it does this will eliminate everything except the carb

[RLPII]

ok, so new sparkplug - no starting. Spark looks good - similar to the old plug.

After you try and start it, take the plug out and inspect it. If it is wet and smells of gas, then you should be getting enough gas. If the plug is dry and no gas odor, then try JimDirts suggestion - or try both, what have you got to loose?

[nox11]

thanks guys, will try both suggestions tonight!

[nox11]

ok, progress it seems! plug was dry after i pulled it. Tried the gas thing, and around the 4th kick it started right up!!!!
where do i go from here? thanks for the help - starting it is a great feeling!

[JimDirt]

OK this means its definitely a FUEL problem

Which in sorts is good news , this means you most likely have a clog somewhere in the carb , so this narrows your troubleshooting and causes down to a minimum , start at the top

Check fuel flow from the tank to the carb , then check the float level and the amount of fuel in the bowl , then check that the accelerator pump is squirting

It should squirt and just barely miss the slide , and give a good long squirt (you check this with the airbox off the carb so you can watch the squirt as you work the throttle

This should give you a good starting point and will narrow down the issue

[nox11]

where do I measure the float level on this carb? The pic in the manual is very difficult to be sure.

the pump does not spray a stream of fuel or any fuel for that matter like it's supposed to - im not sure why...
fuel line is clear and the fuel gets to the carb as it should - i'm not sure what goes on in the float bowl and with the pump

i cleaned and re-assembled as per the manual, but that does not help to trouble shoot if something goes wrong though...

[JimDirt]

where do I measure the float level on this carb? The pic in the manual is very difficult to be sure.

the pump does not spray a stream of fuel or any fuel for that matter like it's supposed to - im not sure why...
fuel line is clear and the fuel gets to the carb as it should - i'm not sure what goes on in the float bowl and with the pump

i cleaned and re-assembled as per the manual, but that does not help to trouble shoot if something goes wrong though...

You measure from the edge of the float itself , from the base of the carb body , so with the carb held 90 degrees with the intake side of the carb facing up , with the pin that holds the float up , tilt it slightly till the tab on the float just touches the needle pin but without it pushing in on the pin , the measurement i believe is 8mm , so from the bottom of the float (the end that would be closest to the bottom of the float bowl) to the flat base of the carb body where the gasket would be for the bowl is your measurement , if its out then bend the tab on the float where the holding pin goes thru is , and measure again and adjust until within spec

as far as no squirt , that is most likely the starting issue and why your bike will not start , it needs that squirt of fuel to start , you need to see if the small jet in the bottom of the bowl is clear , if you blow air thru it , it should blow out some fuel at the top edge of the bowl (where the O-Ring gasket sits) if this is clear , then i would bet the diaphragm for the accelerator pump is bad , replace that (make sure you install it correctly and with the push rod side facing the push rod)

Then fill the bowl with fuel (install the bowl and fill the carb while holding it level) , then work the throttle (where the cables attach) and watch the fuel , it should squirt once you get fuel flowing to it (work the throttle a few times till it squirts , then it should squirt every time you work the throttle), then when you first touch the throttle the fuel should just miss the slide , if it hits the slide there is a adjuster screw at the throttle that adjusts the accelerator pump rod gap , adjust that till the stream just clears the slide and your bike should start right up

[nox11]

I put the carb back, and checked the pump - did not spray at all. Checked all lines again and re-checked, re-assembled the carb to check float level - opened up - float bowl was bone dry. And so after a bit of scratching about I saw the float valve is bust - so once its sorted and that's back in, I'll be able to see if it squirts fuel - and consequently if it starts.

Will keep you updated...holding thumbs!

[JimDirt]

No fuel in the bowl means either the Needle and Seat are stuck , or the fuel is not getting to the carb itself , or the float itself is sticking

[dlpmx]

I wouldn't be able to wait. I'd remove the float and needle put it on turn on the fuel for a sec or two and shut it off.(just enough to fill the bowl) Then wack that throttle and kick away. or hit the magic button.

Dale

[nox11]

I am more than happy to report:
Got it started! With the new jetting it does not backfire, does not bog down.
and, best of all- runs like a leopard on fire.

Went for a quick ride - turned into a 10km mountain trail ride. Started easily after a stop.

Thanks so much for all the input guys, really appreciate it!

If it starts tomorrow again, I'm going to have to change the name of the topic!

yeah!

[JimDirt]

Glad to hear its running !!

[crfsonly]

Excellent news!

[nox11]

And the early morning 4 degrees celsius test:

Prime once, choke, no throttle, Kick.

And: First kick - start and idle!

YESSSSS!

[JimDirt]

Now you need to get out there and enjoy your new bike , then give us a ride report !!